CHIEF OF DENTAL SERVICES
Career Family: CHIEF
Chief of Dental Services is an unclassified role, so it is appointed at the discretion of the hiring authority and does not carry the usual exam-and-tenure track.
Eligibility comes down to 3 years of relevant experience. The FY2027 range lands between $146,038 and $216,490, and state payroll currently lists 2 people in the title, led by Health and Senior Services.
How to apply
This title is not filled by examination — agencies appoint directly.
See every real route in, and where to apply. 2 agencies employ it. We don't track live vacancies.
How to apply for this title →Why this title is unclassified
This specification cites 11A: 3-5, political subdivision unclassified service..
A title in the political subdivision unclassified service sits outside Title 11A unless a provision says otherwise. In practice that means no competitive examination to get the job, and none of the career service protections that come with it: no permanent status after a working test period, and no right of appeal to the Civil Service Commission from a removal. Appointment and removal rest with the appointing authority.
The rule that allocates a title to this service is N.J.A.C. 4A:3-1.3.
Who employs this title
Chief of Dental Services appears on the State payroll at 2 departments, most of them at Department of Health.
State departments
| Employer | Employees |
|---|---|
| Department of Health | 1 |
| Department of Corrections | 1 |
State payroll and independent authority payroll are separate systems and are never merged. See data sources.
Who employs this title
State payroll records show 2 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $198,958. The agencies employing the most are:
- Health and Senior Services (1)
- Corrections (1)
Counts from NJ YourMoney agency payroll. See statewide workforce analytics.
Official job specification
The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.
Definition
Under general direction of a Medical Director, Superintendent, or other supervisory official at a state institution, is responsible for planning, directing, and supervising both clinical and administrative aspects of a comprehensive dental services program; supervises staff and work activities; prepares and signs official performance evaluations for subordinate staff; other related duties as required.
Examples of work
- Directs and supervises the implementation of all dental service program policies and procedures of a dental program or department.
- Supervises, evaluates, and monitors work performance of all professionals and clericals engaged in implementation of the dental services program.
- Implements and administers all aspects of a third-party dental program including supervision of dental consultants and related personnel and subsections.
- Provides all dental and preventive dental services using pharmacologic and/or gaseous analgesia within the institution.
- Provides other dental services using general anesthesia within a community hospital or institutional setting.
- Supervises and performs the professional tasks involved with implementing a program of preventive dentistry including examining, cleaning, restoring, extracting, and replacing of teeth with prosthesis with the use of rotary and hand instruments, dental appliances, medications, and surgical instruments involving complex compound and advanced general dental pathology.
- Instructs personnel, related to the dental service, in the proper conduct and care of patients undergoing dental treatment.
- Conducts qualitative and quantitative analysis and review of all dental services provided to residents. Also implements relative utilization and surveillance programs.
- Consults and meets with medical staff on cases involving oral pathology and/or other dental/medical concerns.
- Diagnoses and treats diseases, injuries, and malformations of teeth, gingiva, mucosa, and related oral structures with reasonable patient acceptable sensitivity.
- Formulates detailed treatment plans and makes complex judgements relative to clinical dentistry.
- Supervises the development and implementation of detailed programs of oral hygiene, dental education, and preventive dentistry.
- Supervises the work operations and/or functional programs and has responsibility for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting, and/or disciplining of employees.
- Serves on call, administratively, and clinically, and handles dental treatment emergencies.
- Develops dental program objectives and prepares budget containing recommended allocations for requisitions, supplies, and equipment.
- Supervises the establishment and maintenance of dental program clinical and administrative files.
- Prepares all necessary manuals, forms, and systems development.
- Studies technical magazines, journals, and other periodicals to keep abreast of the most current dental practices and procedures.
- Will be required to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
Experience
Licensed to practice dentistry in the State of New Jersey and one (1) year of formal training beyond Dental School (including but not limited to an approved dental internship) plus three (3) years of additional experience in dentistry or five (5) years of dental experience for those without formal training beyond Dental School.
License
Current license from the New Jersey State Board of Dentistry
Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
- Knowledge of modern dental practices and procedures to include up- to-date methods of preventive dentistry, oral hygiene, and oral surgery.
- Knowledge of oral pathology and dental treatment practices and procedures.
- Knowledge of medical, pharmacological, anesthetic, and cardiopulmonary aspects of dentistry.
- Knowledge of preventative dentistry.
- Ability to supervise, evaluate, and coordinate the work flow of a group of dentists and other dental staff personnel.
- Ability to function as a dentist and oral surgeon in a community hospital setting.
- Ability to successfully handle complex, compound, and advanced general dental pathology.
- Ability to effectively manage a dental program at a residential facility from both a clinical and administrative point of view to include the training, evaluation, and management of human resources as well as other relevant administrative functions.
- Ability to use dental appliances, surgical equipment, hand equipment, rotary instruments, and medications.
- Ability to administer local anesthesia and other supportive dental medication.
- Ability to prepare budgets and requisitions for supplies and equipment.
- Ability to supervise assigned staff and plan, organize, and implement projects within the unit.
- Ability to learn to how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
- Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
- Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible if they can perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
Note
The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.